RAIB releases report into Enfield Town station buffer stop collision
THE RAIL Accident Investigation Branch has released a report into the buffer stop collision at Enfield Town station almost two years ago.
The accident happened at 8.21am on October 12, 2021, as an Arriva Rail London service worked by London Overground Class 710 electric multiple unit 710124 hit the buffer stop at a speed of 7.7mph. The collision resulted in the train riding up onto the buffer stop, coming to a rest with its leading wheels about 800mm above the rails. Two of the 75 passengers on board sustained minor injuries.
The RAIB investigation found that the train had been travelling at a speed of 10mph when it was 69 metres away from the buffer stop. Despite briefly applying the brakes on the Class 710 EMU, the driver took no further control actions for just over seven seconds until making an emergency brake application just before the train hit the buffer stop.
The cause was due to the driver not applying the brakes in time to stop safely, the driver reporting afterwards that he had briefly fell asleep on approach to the buffer stop. No faults were found with the train itself. The driver subsequently tested positive for cocaine during a post-incident urine test. The RAIB report states that the incident was caused by him being significantly fatigued, which affected his awareness, the presence of a recreational drug in his system, or a combination of the two. The report has made two recommendations and three learning points. The first recommendation relates to Arriva Rail London encouraging their staff to report fatigue that could affect their abilityto do their jobs safely, while the report also calls on Network Rail and the Rail Safety and Standards Board to improve the risk assessment process for buffer stop collisions at terminal platforms. Of the learning points, the report reminds Network Rail and train companiesthat engineered safeguards do not protect against all events and that operational controls may also be required to manage risk. The second reminds train staff of the importance of reporting fatigue when it affects their ability to work safely, while the third reminds staff of the need to comply with their employer’s drug and alcohol policies. The RAIB completed the report in November 2022 but its publication was delayed due to ongoing legal proceedings in relation to the prosecution of the train driver (see separate story). However, embargoed copies were circulated to public bodies, the rail industry and the parties involved at the time in order for safety recommendations to be implemented.